Vienna

NewsVienna/Oakton Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic703-778-9414 or vienna@connectionnewspapers.com‘We Need to Keep Our Children Fed’Vienna CROP Walkraises more than$30,000.www.ConnectionNewspapers.comBy Bonnie HobbsThe ConnectionMany of those participating inVienna’s 10 th Annual CROP(Communities Respondingto Overcome Poverty) Walkhad done so for several years. Others, likeresident Martha Nichols, were walking init for the first time.But everyone knew exactly why they werethere.“The idea of people going without foodin this county is awful, and we need to keepour children fed,” said Nichols. “So this walkis something we should do.”The event was Sunday afternoon, Nov. 9,and was sponsored by Church World Service.This organization responds to humanneeds worldwide, both in crisis and everydaysituations, providing food, clothing,medical supplies and access to clean drinkingwater to those needing it most.Some 75 percent of the proceeds – raisedby participants’ registration fees, plus generousdonations – go to Church World Servicefor disaster relief in the U.S. and in 80different countries. The funds help peopleraise animals and crops for food, therebyfighting hunger and the root causes of poverty.The other 25 percent benefits the Communityfor Helping Others (CHO), an allvolunteergroup that helps the needy inVienna, Oakton, Dunn Loring andMerrifield. It provides emergency financialassistance and food, plus clothes, furniture,transportation and the Meals on Wheelsprogram.“When many of us in this area think ofhunger, we think of other countries or, atleast, other areas of the United States,” saidVienna Councilwoman Linda Colbert. “Butwe have hungry people and families in ourcommunity. There are children here who gowithout two meals a day and adults whorely on Meals on Wheels for food.”Betty Rahal of Vienna PresbyterianChurch (VPC) started the walk, a decadeago, and her church has organized it eversince. After the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia,Rahal asked Church World Service how shecould help and was told that CROP Walksare a major source of its fundraising.“I called them in January and we had ourfirst CROP Walk in November 2005,” shesaid. “I’m committed to this because thework Church World Service and CHO do isso helpful and so important.”About 150 people participated in Vienna’swalk, and Rahal couldn’t have been happier.“This was a good turnout today,” shesaid. “I’m always thrilled with this walk.”(As of Sunday night, it had raised $30,500,Photos by Bonnie Hobbs/The ConnectionTwo sets of twins from Thoreau Middle help at the walk. (From left) areLianna Williams, Hannah Rupy, Noah Rupy and Miller Williams.(From left) are Madison Highsophomore Katherine Holmes withher parents, Barbara and EdHolmes, before the walk.Betty Rahal (on left) introducesLinda Colbert.From left — Madison High senior Leanna Covell and Marshall Highfreshman Robert Purnell perform with VPC’s Youth Praise Band.but more pledges were still coming in).Town residents, including members of sixlocal churches – VPC, Holy Cross Episcopal,Epiphany United Methodist, EmmausUnited Church of Christ, EmmanuelLutheran and Lewinsville Presbyterian –gathered on the Vienna Town Green beforethe event to register and snack on refreshmentsdonated by Cenan’s Bakery and DePaul Urban Farm.They also chatted with their friends andneighbors, listened to VPC’s Youth PraiseBand perform and got raffle tickets forprizes and gift certificates donated by localmerchants. And a contingent of eighth-gradersfrom Thoreau Middle School mannedthe water station and later gave out doorprizes while obtaining service hours for civicsclass.Student Lianna Williams said the eventwas important because “it’s helping thetown of Vienna.” Classmate Hannah Rupysaid everyone’s efforts “can help stop hunger,”and her twin brother Noah said theywere all having “fun while helping people.”Before the participants departed for their3-mile walk, which started and ended onthe green, Rahal addressed the crowd. Shethanked the volunteers, sponsors and communitybusinesses and explained how CROPwalks help people all over the world. Shealso told how CHO helps locally by providingfood to children “whose only meal ofthe day may be their school lunch” and toadults who, likewise, might not eat if notfor Meals on Wheels.She then introduced Colbert, who saidVienna’s event was one of 26 CROP Walkshappening in Virginia. Colbert also expressedhow proud she was of the community,Vienna Presbyterian and Rahal for“committing to fighting hunger.”Jennifer Chamberlain of Emmaus UCChas done this walk for years with about adozen people. “Our church has a wholeweekend of hunger-fighting events – we callit Mission Possible,” she said. “We gatherfood for local food pantries and do thiswalk. And [on Nov. 8], we packed 10,000meals for Stop Hunger Now.”Vienna’s Laurie Forbes participated “becauseI love the cause and it’s a beautifulday. And all ages can take part.” VPC’s BarbaraHolmes was pleased that “a lot of thefunds raised go back to the community.We’ve been involved in this a number ofyears and have had many CROP Walks withthe Sunday School class.”“As the holidays approach, people take forgranted all they have,” added VPC’sCatherine Straley. “But this is a way to getnutritional meals on the table so others willbe blessed, this holiday season.”Susan Kenney, also of VPC, is a co-founderof Vienna’s walk, along with Rahal. “Thiswalk went well, and we always have highamounts raised per walker,” said Kenney.“And we’re always looking for morechurches and people to participate.”Last year, she said, “We raised almost$34,000 with only 200 walkers. It’s just agreat cause, and it’s nice to see the samefamilies and churches come out, year afteryear. My oldest son, Patrick, was 4 when hefirst started participating. He’s now 13 andin eighth grade at Thoreau, and he’s stilldoing it.”Vienna/Oakton Connection ❖ November 19-25, 2014 ❖ 3